Connect with us

Apps

YouTube Premium hikes up subscription prices in some markets

Published

on

YouTube Premium new price

YouTube Premium is a subscription service that offers ad-free and offline viewing of YouTube videos. Now, YouTube has announced a price increase for some of its premium services in international markets.

The price hike will be applicable from November 1 in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Germany, Poland, and Turkey. The new prices will affect individual, family, and student plans for both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium.

YouTube stated that this is the first time that some of these countries, such as Australia, have experienced a price increase for the service. In Australia, YouTube Premium Individual will now charge A$16.99 per month. Existing subscribers will maintain their current rate for a minimum of three more months before the new pricing becomes effective.

YouTube said that the price increase was necessary to “continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.” The company also cited the recent addition of new features to the service, such as 1080p Premium streaming quality, co-watching in Google Meet, and early access to experimental features.

The price increase comes amid other changes to YouTube’s platform, such as the global ban on ad blockers and the rollout of new app features. Users who want to avoid ads and enjoy other benefits of YouTube Premium can still subscribe to the service online at a lower price than through the iOS App Store.

YouTube Premium new price

Hey, Camila is here! From the very beginning, I love using Samsung phones like a die-hard fan. Apart from detailing One UI features for readers, I love exploring different apps of the Samsung ecosystem with a cup of tea!

WhatsApp

WhatsApp bringing Instagram-like sticker prompts for status updates

Published

on

WhatsApp Sticker Prompts

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will make status updates more interactive and fun. In the latest beta (version 2.24.23.21) update for Android, WhatsApp is working on a new sticker prompts feature for status updates.

The “Add Yours” sticker lets users create interactive challenges or prompts in their status updates to encourage friends and contacts to share their own content.

This feature is similar to Instagram’s sticker but with a unique twist. When you use the “Add Yours” sticker, you can ask your contacts to share something specific.

For example, a user might create a prompt asking everyone to share a picture of their garden. When someone taps the sticker, they can add their status update related to the prompt. This brings a fun and creative way to engage with friends.

WhatsApp Sticker Prompts

Since WhatsApp status updates are end-to-end encrypted, your contacts won’t be able to see who started the challenge or who has participated. It means your responses stay private, and only the people you’ve chosen to share your status with will see your content. It ensures that interactions stay secure and confidential.

The sticker prompts feature is currently being tested in the WhatsApp beta for Android and will be available in a future update. Keep an eye out for more updates as WhatsApp continues to improve its app.

WhatsApp to let users pick their preferred main color for app interface

Continue Reading

Apps

Samsung boosts Auto Blocker with new ‘Maximum Restrictions’ feature

Published

on

One UI 7 Auto Blocker feature

Samsung has rolled out a fresh update for its Auto Blocker app with version 1.1.00.28. The update brings a new layer of security as it introduces the “Maximum restrictions” option for users who require extra protection against potential threats.

The fresh update is rolling out for Galaxy devices running One UI 6.1.1. It offers different conditions for One UI 6.1.1 and the upcoming One UI 7. Notably, the upcoming One UI iteration will provide enhanced security with Auto Blocker.

The fresh update of Samsung Auto Blocker adds the “Maximum restrictions” mode, which offers stronger protection for sensitive data. When activated, this mode restricts certain features on the device to limit exposure to unauthorized access.

Samsung Auto Blocker Maximum Restrictions

The update turns on the “App protection” feature, which blocks the activation of device admin apps and work profiles. Additionally, some Samsung apps, including Samsung Messages and Gallery, will have limited functionality when this mode is enabled.

What’s new for One UI 7 devices?

With  One UI 7, the “Maximum restrictions” mode will receive even more robust protections. When the Auto Blocker turns on, it blocks USB connections and prevents devices from connecting to your phone for purposes other than charging. In addition, the update also blocks 2G networks and prevents automatic reconnection to non-secure Wi-Fi networks.

Aside from this, Samsung has already started rolling out One UI 7’s Auto Blocker maximum restrictions conditions to Galaxy devices through a new update. Currently, some Galaxy flagships received its support and will expand to more soon.

US unlocked Galaxy S24 gets advanced Auto Blocker with November 2024 update

Continue Reading

Apps

Magic Compose button gets a fresh look in Google Messages

Published

on

Google messages Magic Compose feature

Google is testing a new design for its Messages app that makes the Magic Compose button easier to access. This change is being tested in the latest beta version of Google Messages, and users may see it in future updates.

The Magic Compose feature helps you rewrite your messages in different styles. It used to be hidden behind a small arrow when you typed, which made it hard to find. But now, with the new design, Magic Compose moves to the same row as smart reply suggestions.

The new place of the Magic Compose button on Google Messages makes it visible all the time, even when no reply suggestions are shown. Talking about the appearance, it has a button, which is pill-shaped with a sparkle, located on the far right of the smart reply row. It also changes color to match the send button, thanks to Android’s Dynamic Color feature.

Google messages Magic Compose feature

Now, the Magic Compose button changes to Magic Rewrite (via 9to5Google) when you start typing in the message box. The rewrite feature shows a pencil icon with a sparkle, letting you quickly rewrite your message. The feature still works the same way to offer different ways to phrase your message with just a tap.

The change is designed to make the app cleaner and easier to use. In the old design, there were multiple buttons like the “plus” menu, gallery, and Magic Compose, all in the bottom row. Now that Magic Compose is moved into the smart reply row, the text box is bigger and there’s less clutter on the screen.

Continue Reading